Chapter 3:

Katara laid on the bed her eyes staring across the room where a dim candle barely illuminated the face of her older brother. They had managed to make it to the village just when the sun began to set and were now staying at a small inn, inexpensive considering the amount of light they had at the moment and she swore there was a small draft coming from the far wall, but nevertheless is was tolerable.

Sokka felt eyes on him as he sharpened his sword on his given bed and looked up. He frowned upon seeing his sister's face, "Why don't you smile?"

Her eyes narrowed slightly, "Why don't you?"

He stared at her silently, he knew it was that time of month and he wasn't trying to start playing, 'let's dodge the oncoming-speeding-unpredictable-emotion-day'. He silently returned to his work and squinted his eyes in the dark. It was then that he finally noticed the short supply of lighting. His eyes turned to the small candle, "One candle?" He received no reaction and they both mentally berated him for his lack of noticing his surroundings.

Katara followed his gaze her eyes looking at the flame who danced while struggling to give off light. She sighed and flipped onto her back, "Six months."

Katara smiled as she saw an image of Aang's goofy smile, and heard Toph's loud laugh replaying in her ears. Her smiled faded upon her reminiscing and she flipped over face in pillow.

Sokka looked at Katara empathetically, he knew how she felt and it was going to be the same for him, for a while. The group had been together for who knows long. 'I mean six months is a long time now that I think about it.' His eyes looked at Katara's stiff form. "Don't worry I'll take you shopping tomorrow."

Katara turned her head to look at him, and because of the lack of oxygen, "It's so you can feel better, not me."

He smile and scratched the back of his head, "You're right." She looked taken by surprised and it showed with widened eyes, "You see, I'm going to miss them too. So we need to try to get through this together." He placed his now sharp sword in its sheath and laid it on his side table. "Anyways shopping is good for the soul." He smiled pensively and laid on his back. He reached for the candle ready to go to sleep for the night when he noticed something in his peripheral vision.

"Sokka, can I sleep with you?" He paused and looked at Katara questioningly. She was already standing near his bed. His jaw hung slightly, and his face incredulously expressed how surprised he was, "Katara you do know you are a twenty year old young women, right?"

She looked taken aback by his answer, "So!?" her eyes fell, suddenly too heavy to look up. Sokka looked at her, suddenly understanding the amount of pain she had, the last time she asked him to sleep with her was when their father left. He sighed and slid to the side of the bed, "Get in."

She smiled and quickly got in; she pulled the covers over them turned to her side, "Goodnight Sokka."

He blew the candle out and looked up at the ceiling as his eyes adjusted to the dark. If she would be his little sister for tonight, it was good enough for him.

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Aang hit the floor with a thud and was startled awake, his heart's pace quickened, as he got ready for attack, eyes looked to and fro and his shoulders finally slumped. The only danger around was getting a concussion. He tiredly picked his chair off the floor and placed in its original spot in front of Toph. He rubbed his eyes, then noticed the lack of warmth in the room and immediately went to fuel the fire in the small fireplace in the corner of the room.

He stared at the dancing flames lingering at the spot for what seemed to be eternity, and as his mind slowly brought itself back to reality, he angrily walked away to sit on the chair provided to him by the old couple of the house. He looked at Toph, which only fuelled his frustration, 'It's my fault. She wouldn't be here sick on this bed, and just had barely escaped death only a day ago if it weren't for me.' He couldn't help blame himself; it wasn't Toph's fault she almost died. She wavered in and out of consciousness whenever the pneumonia allowed her too.

He laughed despite his despondent state, 'What would Katara say now? It's been barely a month and he's gotten Toph sick already.'

The doctor had told him he did all he could do and that it was up to her to return to normal health. Aang had simply thanked the doctor at the time but now he couldn't help but think if there was more that could be done. He could only heal internal and external injuries, and he berated the powers of the avatar spirit for only being able to extend so far.

Movement from Toph grabbed his attention as he noticed her shivering and he quickly placed another blanket on her. Though anger held most of the space in his mind there was still relief, relief that her fever broke, relief that normal breathing returned to her lungs, and relief that she managed to pull through.

It was at this time that he actually observed Toph's sickly form, stared at her paled body that bothered him to look at. She was an average person, a girl. Who can get sick and look as vulnerable as she did. It surprised him really, when she didn't wake up after a while. He had hurriedly rushed for help realizing that something was wrong, he panicked thinking, 'Something's wrong, why won't she wake up?' Toph's character always seemed to portray an 'anti-sick' aura.

A knock on the door sounded and Aang turned his head as it opened, he smiled grimly in response to the old women's slightly surprised expression, "Hi."

She smiled and looked at him with worried eyes, "Aang why don't you go to sleep? You haven't been resting the way you should."

He glanced at Toph and returned to the woman's gaze, "I-I don't know…"

"She'll be fine. I promise, what I don't promise is your health if you continue not getting your rightfully earned sleep." Aang sighed; maybe she did have a point. He frowned gloomily, "I suppose you're right." He walked over to his cot in the corner of the room, "I'll sleep." He landed on the cot with a plop and within seconds shallow breathing was heard. The old women sighed with relief and softly shut the door.

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Sokka roamed the bazaar with Katara close behind. She smiled as she watched her older brother be awed by all the scrolls and weapons he found. The loud noise and swift movements of the crowd seemed to blur. She let her eyes watch all the people around her smiling, rushing, yelling and, she giggled as she watched a large women yell at a skinny man while simultaneously hitting him with a fish.

She turned her attention back to her brother and her eyes widen when she realized she lost him. She then narrowed her eyes, 'Figures.' She knew not to be surprised that he'd forget about her and happily run off to another location, but still it nagged her. She sighed and stalked off in where she assumed the direction he might've gone off to. Motherly intuition was a good quality for she found him only minutes later and grinned sardonically. She began to stomp over in his direction when something caught her eye. Something flashed and she stopped to see if anyone noticed while she walked to where it came from and found a blue gem staring at her.

It was strange. How it seemed to tug at her soul as if trying to hypnotize her. It was as if it was having war with her soul, obviously losing, as it failed to keep her in its hypnotic trance. She touched it but brusquely snatched her hand away. It was painfully hot, she looked up to see the owner of the stand smiling at her, "Don't worry it won't break." He picked it up and handed it to her, "Here look at it." She looked at it wide eye, was he insane? Or was she?

Katara tentatively reach out a hand; it wasn't hot. Her mind was being thrown off board. She knew it was hot but now it was as regular as it can be. She looked at the stone concentrating trying to find any trace to prove she wasn't insane. She brought it close to her eyes, and was aghast by the small glow that radiated inside of it. This wasn't normal.

"I'll take it." Katara looked up surprised, "Sokka!" she placed it back in its original location, "No, you don't even know how much it costs."

The she looked at the man who strangely all this time continued to smile, "Sorry for troubling you we'll be on our way now."

Sokka looked back at his sister's retreating form then back at the owner, "How much?"

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There were times that she realized that she was on a bed but completely forgot due to her indecisive mind about staying conscious. Images formed by her vibrations flitted across her mind. They scattered randomly, which caused unconscious emotions to sprout deep within her mind. Toph's face expressed every emotion that appeared in her mind. Until her face became distorted as her conscious became aware of her physical discomfort. She opened her blind eyes and laid on the bed feeling awful, every part of her body weighed what seemed like a ton and her chest lifted up and down as she wheezed.

She clenched her head with a hand as she tried to remember the latest events. She skimmed her memory before it began to come to a slow stop, she paused as her eyes widened. 'Aang!' Her already flushed face seemed to flush brighter and heat began to rise her already elevated temperature. She bolted straight up meanwhile wincing at every bone that took the advantage to crack from that simple movement. Stretching seemed to relieve of any pain for the time being.

If she could explain the reason for her behaviour out in the rain. If there were anyway not make the incident as an embarrassing as it seemed, maybe Aang would be able to understand. She growled with frustration, maybe if she beat the pulp out of him he would lose memory and forget. She grinned menacingly; yea that's what she'll do. She set heavy feet on the floor, she was alarmed and her anger dissipated.

Her vibrations showed her Aang's still form, she ran to his cot, her heart skipped, and she sighed with relief. She smiled before mentally berating herself, if she would took the extra second to check his heartbeat she would've known he was okay.

Blind eyes stared at him wandering what he looked like, a sigh escaped her mouth before she lifted her hand and reach out to tough his face. There was no way she could stay angry with him now. A small finger touched his face and paused. Her face filled with a heavy blush; she felt her ears turn hot and she suddenly she remembered holding him tightly in the rain.

Toph's heart began to pound hard against her chest, her body suddenly wanting to give out. 'He knows my fear.' She placed a hand to her chest and another on the cot as she began to cough violently. She felt light head and dizzy, and she couldn't figure out why she was wheezing. 'I can't believe this!'

Aang stirred in his sleep, he felt pressure on his body and it was beginning to bother him. His eyes opened slightly and widened the moment he saw Toph with pain expressed clearly on her face. "Toph!" He abruptly got off the bed and picked her up.

Her half-closed eyes looked at him, "Twinkle toes."

He looked down at her as she coughed into a hand, "What"

"This sucks." Her face grimly expressed how she felt about the situation and couldn't help but smile despite the fact that he felt useless about not being able to help his friend.

He carefully placed her on the bed, "Look you've been unconscious for two nights and since you're finally awake I don't think your body's taking it to well."

Toph opened her closed eyes, "Two nights!?" She struggled to get up, while Aang tried to keep her down on the bed.

"Would you just calm down." He lifted his hands off her shoulders went she succumbed to lying down, "Just rest up a bit." He winced when she coughed once again; "I'll get you medicine and some food." he walked towards the door when Toph tiredly called out his name.

He looked back, "What?"

"Don't feel guilty." She closed her eyes and flipped over to face the wall. Aang smiled, she always seemed to know what to say. "Stupid." Or not.

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"Katara!" Sokka yelled letting the last vowel linger in the air.

Katara looked back, her eyes narrowed annoyed and suspicious. What was he so happy about, and did he really have to sing her name with so many people around. She was currently sit at the seaport waiting for her father arrive and she was comfortably enjoying the see breeze until her brother came along. He walked up to her with a smile on his face, hands behind his back.

She sceptically raised a brow, "What?"

"Close your eyes." Cautious eyes scrutinized him before they closed.

"Open!" She opened her eyes. It was the blue stone that burned her hand and surprisingly left no mark leaving her to question her sanity. Sokka held it proudly on a silver chain.

"Oh Sokka, you shouldn't have." Katara stood up from the crate she sat on and approached him and the necklace.

"See? I knew-Ow!" He looked at his sister with a pout, "What you do that for!"

"Well you really shouldn't have!" She snatched the gem from his hand, and brought to his face, "What do you see?" Sokka looked hesitantly at the gem and wasn't sure what to say. "Uh, nothing."

"Look at more closely." Sokka squinted his eyes not sure what he was supposed to be looking at. He grew frustrated and moved her hand away from his face, "I don't know what your talking about there's nothing there." He crossed his arms, "What's the big deal anyways? Can't I buy something for my sister? I thought girls like this kind of stuff." He paused, "Well except Toph."

He shook his head as he remembered a month ago when the gang pitched in to get Toph a present for her birthday and she claimed she was surprised how they managed to forget that blind girls don't care for jewellery. Nevertheless, she kept the green gem knowing that they did their best.

Katara frowned knowing he was genuinely hurt, "It not that, it's just," She paused placing a hand on her chin, 'How do I not sound crazy in front of my brother?' She snapped her fingers when an idea came into mind but instantly frowned when she realized that there was no way she was going to sound sane.

She looked at Sokka who suddenly looked like petrified stone. She giggled, sometimes she wonder who exactly this oversensitive older sibling was. She couldn't help but hug him, "Thank you Sokka."

He patted her head, "You better be thankful, three silver coins out of my money pouch." She released him upon hearing his words, "Sokka!" Why did he spend so much money?

"Katara! Sokka!" They both turned their head to see their dad walking towards them. They both smile before Katara eyes glanced furiously at him she whispered as their dad walked up to him, 'Why did you spend so much?'

He grinned, to say: Katara, now you know I got you the blue expensive gem; now wash my clothes!' She growled under her breath before she plastered a smile on her face as their dad approached, "Dad!" She walked up to him to give a hug, "How were your travels?"

"Tiring I must say." He yawned and brought a hand to the back of his head, smiled looking at how his children seemed to make him feel older every time he saw them.

"Dad it's good to see you!" Sokka walked up and gave his dad a pat on the back, "Life's great, isn't it"" He said this smiling at a silently simmering Katara, 'Just wait until dad's not around. He's so immature!'

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Toph sat on a small wooden table enthusiastically eating food she thought she'd never eat again. After becoming conscious, she felt it was just as bad as being unconscious; she couldn't be help but feel she was being quarantined. She was ecstatic now that she was free and it showed. She filled a now empty plate with the luxurious food she was ostracized from just a day ago.

Across the table sat an aged man who gawked at Toph's ample appetite. She looked up, and due to her occupied mouth optioned to offer food using hand gestures. He turned down with a simple wave of the hand, "Just eat as much as you want."

Toph gulped down and took a swig of flavoured water from a nearby glass cup, "I'm just finishing up, besides if I eat anymore I'd get lazy."

She got off her chair readying to wash her dishes when the door simultaneously opened, followed by a pair of light-footed feet when the door swung shut. A heavy sigh escaped from Aang as he sat down to begin his lunch. Toph grinned deceitfully, "How's your day so far snookums?" She leaned down and pinched his cheeks; he apathetically removed her hand from his cheek."

She looked disingenuously offended, "Oh how cruel and I was only caring."

He laid incredulous eyes on her, "Yea and on that same day that happens I'll be taking cover from the massive destruction of the world."

She stared at him grinning, "More like when Katara sees a man in you." Nine words that that brought calamity upon the rising tides. For not a moment later Toph felt the pressure of air slam her against the nearest wall, she grunted with a cough. Aang had a fist on the wall, his face mere inches from hers, he paused, and his eyes widened. He moved away from her, "I'm-" Toph heard him exhale deeply, "I'm going to get fresh air."

The air was tense as the kitchen door swung back and forth. The man who watched the scene quickly stood, alarmed and concerned.

"Are you alright?" He paused, "It seemed," He was lost at words, trying to find a words that didn't seem offensive.

Toph forced a smile, "It's okay, I'm the one who touched a sore spot. Besides he gets like that once in a while." It wasn't true; he hardly never showed that side of him. She approached the sink, silently washing the soiled dishes. Even though she had the urge to go up to him punch him in face and start a bending battle, she knew she was wrong. The problem was she herself didn't know where to start. It had something to do with her feelings and that's just about as much progress she could make.

She placed the last dried plate in the rack and took the nearest exit out of the house. She yawned loudly while letting her frustration vent through it. She inhaled deeply and slowly exhaled, it was finally time for some fresh air.

She grumbled irritably at the sun whom took the advantage, and enjoyed, burning her skin. Maybe fresh air wasn't a good idea.

She took a few steps forward and her vibrations brought back a scene full of life. She instantly recognized it to be a garden, which left her in awe. The tender loving care given to this garden is what gave it its life. The air around gave her a calming sensation, helping her forget the incident that occurred only a while ago. She reached out and touched the petal of a large flower, the flower was large and tall and she noted that it must've been a sunflower.

She let her hand graze the plants she could, everything felt so happy, and it rubbed off on her, she could tell that this garden greatly appreciated its caretaker. She rounded a corner of the garden and found the caretaker only a few feet away from where she stood.

Toph walked up and took a seat beside her, blind eyes closed as she felt the way she elderly women took care of the nursery plants in the rich soil. The women sighed and wiped away perspiration that accumulated on her forehead.

"It sure is hot." She laughed despite the obvious discomfort of the sun.

Toph pouted, "Tell me about it, if some cloud coverage doesn't come soon, you'll see your first cooked earth bender."

The woman laughed softly, "Really now? Well then we wouldn't want that to happen now would we." She reached beside her and handed Toph and canteen.

Toph accepted it eagerly and quenched her parch throat, she sighed and handed back to her, "Thanks."

"Well I can't let the sun cook you, now could I?"

"Guess not."

A comfortable silence passed and Toph sat delighted by the fact that a cloud loved her enough to shade her from the sun, her skin was already hot to the touch. A startled gasp brought her out of gaze causing immediate concern, "Oh I almost forgot to ask, are you feeling okay?"

Toph stifled a loud laugh. All of that just because she forgot something? "Yea I'm feeling top notch thanks to you."

"Thank goodness! I just wanted to make sure; the young man seemed so down. He definitely cares for you; nowadays there are not a lot of young men like that." She held her hands together and looked dreamily in the air, "Oh, all those nights he stood by your side. You two must have a deep relationship." Toph eyebrows furrowed, it was sickening to hear those words.

She sat silent as she held fists full of clothing on her lap. The grey-haired women stopped and looked worriedly at Toph, "Are you okay dear?"

"There's nothing between us." She stood up facing the elderly woman, "To have thought that was ridiculous." The old woman stared startled at Toph, and dread was evident as she realized that she went in sensitive area. She tried to speak up and apologize for being inconsiderate, but Toph continued sputtering words like a geyser.

"Anyways Twinkle toes is the type of person to care for a wounded animal in the middle of a storm." She glared with disgust being expressed in her pupil-less eyes, "It's not deep." She stood up preparing to leave.

Toph could feel her hear beating against her chest, what was she doing? She felt so angered that it almost hurt, was so confused she felt so much resentment but she didn't know what for, or to what, or whom!

The aged women brought a hand in the air, "I-I'm sorry I didn't know. It's just that-"

"Well don't assume anything! Don't be so happy over something as ridiculous as that!" Toph's eyes widened, she knew she was angry but taking it out on her made her feel worse, "Sorry." She ran into the house, quickly looking for the front door. She turned a corner, running into Aang. She brushed passed him, with out a word exchange.

He looked back at her confused as to why she was rushing, "Toph?"

"Leave me alone." Aang looked back at her retreating form. Moments later the woman of the house walked into him, he looked surprised to see her sadden face.

"What's wrong?" He looked down at her with slight worry; he had a feeling it had to do with Toph.

"I'm sorry please forgive me, I made her upset," She place nervous fingers at her mouth, "and I think I made her cry."

"C-Cry? Toph?" He looked at her expecting her to smile and say; "Just kidding!" Then he mentally slapped himself remembering that he thought he heard her sniff.

"Don't worry, I'll find her." Moments later after reassuring the elderly woman, he rushed out the door with one though in his mind, 'Why would you cry?' His mind led to the incident in the kitchen and he mentally berated himself.

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I know I know It's been a while. but if you have any complaints let me know. If there's anything you'd like for me to fix or clarify let me know too. Hmm, I took this path because this story seemed to want to go in to seperate directions, I hope I chose the right one. Anyhows if there's any adjusting need don't hesitate to let me know.